Talk of the Devil: Unpacking the Language of New Testament Satanology

What is it about?

This is the sequel to our previous study which sought to identify all New Testament references to Satan. In this article, we attempt to unpack and begin making sense of all that the New Testament writers have to say about Satan. Looking at the many different names, titles and functions of Satan distributed throughout the New Testament writings, we find that a coherent perspective on Satan emerges that is not found elsewhere in Second Temple Jewish literature. Thus we make some suggestions about the historical origins of this uniquely Christian concept of Satan. We also look at different strategies of interpreting New Testament Satanology today, noting their strengths and weaknesses.

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Why is it important?

While previous studies have looked closely at individual passages that mention Satan or even at the Satanology of a particular New Testament writer (e.g. Paul or Luke), not many scholars have tried to unpack New Testament Satanology at a canonical level, taking into account all New Testament references to Satan. That is the contribution that this article seeks to make.